Thunder seize 2-1 Western Conference lead after Game 3 win over Spurs

Oklahoma City moved back in front of the Western Conference finals on Friday with a 123-108 road win over San Antonio in Game 3. The Thunder trailed 15-0 less than three minutes into the game before flipping the night with bench scoring, ball movement and a steadier defensive stretch, according to NBA and Associated Press game recaps. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and 12 assists, and reserve guard Jared McCain added a playoff career-high 24 as Oklahoma City took a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is set for Sunday in San Antonio. ### How did Oklahoma City recover after falling behind 15-0? Oklahoma City gave up the first 15 points of the game, a hole that forced coach Mark Daigneault to his bench before the opening three minutes were over. Associated Press said that move helped change the game, with the Thunder eventually getting 76 points from reserves. (nba.com) The 123-108 final reflected how completely the game turned after that start. NBA.com’s game summary listed the result as a 15-point Thunder win, and Yahoo’s recap said Oklahoma City used its depth to blunt San Antonio’s early surge. ### Why was Jared McCain the central swing player? Jared McCain scored 24 points off the bench, his highest total of this postseason, and became the most disruptive extra scorer in the game. (apnews.com) The Athletic’s recap described it as an eruption, while NBA.com labeled him the game’s “Player of the Night.” (nba.com) USA Today’s Thunder Wire said McCain repeatedly attacked Victor Wembanyama and supplied energy on both ends, a point that matched the upstream reporting that highlighted his scoring and defense as central to the outcome. His line also included four rebounds, according to postgame recaps. (nytimes.com) ### What did Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the rotation provide? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 points and 12 assists, giving Oklahoma City its usual offensive control once the game settled. Yahoo’s recap also listed 18 points from Jaylin Williams, another sign that the Thunder’s supporting group carried a large share of the scoring load. (brownswire.usatoday.com) The bench total of 76 points was the clearest team number from the night. Associated Press framed that output as the key to the win, especially after the Thunder had to absorb San Antonio’s opening punch on the road. ### Where does this leave San Antonio heading into Game 4? San Antonio still has home court for the next game, but the series score now favors Oklahoma City 2-1. (sports.yahoo.com) NBA.com’s playoff page lists the Thunder as holding the edge after Game 3, and multiple recaps noted that the Spurs had entered Friday trying to build on the split they earned in Oklahoma City. (apnews.com) The available recaps did not show San Antonio closing the game with the same force it had at the start. Instead, the Thunder’s response after the first few minutes became the defining sequence of the night, leaving the Spurs to regroup before Sunday. ### When is the next game, and what is at stake? (nba.com) Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, according to the NBA’s playoff schedule and series page. Oklahoma City will try to take a 3-1 lead back toward a possible closeout chance, while San Antonio will try to even the series at 2-2 before it shifts again. (nba.com) (apnews.com)